DAN Sweeney has the full support of everyone at Redditch United with the striker the subject of alleged racist abuse in the club’s fixture at Kettering Town.

Sweeney said a Kettering supporter racially abused him during Redditch’s 2-1 defeat at Latimer Park last weekend (Saturday, November 7).

Writing on X, Sweeney said: “I put up with most things said to me by fans on a football pitch, but to be racially abused by a fan at @KTFCOfficial is disgusting.”

Redditch chairman David Faulkner has since released a statement confirming Sweeney has the full support of the club following the incident.

Faulkner said: “I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Kettering Town chairman George Akhtar and director of football Fabian Forde for their response to the incident involving Dan Sweeney during our recent fixture.

“Racism and discrimination have absolutely no place in football or wider society. No player, supporter, official or individual should ever have to experience behaviour of this nature.

“I have spoken directly with Dan since the incident and, having known and worked alongside him for many years, I can personally attest to his strength of character and resilience.

“I have every confidence that he will draw upon those qualities at this time. He has the full support of everyone at Redditch United. Dan is a valued member of our football club and, above all, a person who deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

“I particularly welcome Kettering Town’s commitment to working with its security team, stewards and the relevant authorities to identify those responsible. It is vital that this matter is taken seriously and that appropriate action follows.”

Kettering chairman George Akhtar and Poppies director of football Fabian Forde have also released statements condemning the actions of their own supporters.

Forde said: “During our match against Redditch United, an opposition player, Dan Sweeney, was subjected to vile racial abuse. He was called a “black b******.” It is sickening to type those words, and it is even more sickening that they were shouted in our ground.

“Racism isn’t just bad for football; it inflicts deep, lasting trauma on real human beings and their families. No one should have to go to their workplace and be degraded because of the color of their skin.”

The Standard has contacted the Football Association and the Southern League for comment.

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